‘Cirque-Tacular World: European Edition’

This is not only a European-style acrobatic circus, similar to the “Circurious” show that came to Circle Square last year, but it focuses on European culture and lands, as well.

Plus, it’s a bigger show than last year’s, said organizer and producer Tad Emptage; nine performers make up this show.

“This is one of the first times it will be seen in its entirety,” he said. “It’s really a soft premiere. All of the elements have been ready, but this is the first time we’re putting them together in one show.

“It seemed as perfect a time as any to unveil it. And the cast is motivated by the warmth down there in Florida to get out of New York City.”

General admission tickets are $30, and as of earlier this week plenty were still available.

Last year’s “Circurious” show was a popular one, said Antonio Crews, who oversees the center’s facilities.

“I heard a lot of people saying they’d never seen anything like this before. I think it was the show of the year,” he said. “It was the first time we had Olympic-style performers doing acrobatic acts inside this building.”

European nations and regions that get a moment in the spotlight during this show are, Emptage said, Spain, the Ukraine, Siberia, France, Germany, Greece, Eastern Europe, Britain and Ireland.

Among the acts, he said, are Chinese pole acts (“which is one of the oldest forms of acrobatics”) and hand balancing (“one of the most technical of skills”).

Because all of the Cirque-Tacular performers are a part of its repertoire company based in New York City, new acts can be developed based on the various performers’ abilities honed over the years, Emptage said.

“Some have been with the company now for seven years; one will be making a debut with the company at this show,” he said. “It’s still a vaudeville concept. But we’re starting to do more creative things around what we can do, push their borders.”

Of course, as with last year’s show, there will be plenty of aerial acrobatic acts, too.

<p>Europe comes to Ocala on Friday when the Circle Square Cultural Center hosts the brand-new “Cirque-Tacular World: European Edition.”</p><p>This is not only a European-style acrobatic circus, similar to the “Circurious” show that came to Circle Square last year, but it focuses on European culture and lands, as well.</p><p>Plus, it's a bigger show than last year's, said organizer and producer Tad Emptage; nine performers make up this show.</p><p>“This is one of the first times it will be seen in its entirety,” he said. “It's really a soft premiere. All of the elements have been ready, but this is the first time we're putting them together in one show.</p><p>“It seemed as perfect a time as any to unveil it. And the cast is motivated by the warmth down there in Florida to get out of New York City.” </p><p>After Ocala, “Cirque-Tacular Europe” heads off to Galveston, Texas. </p><p>The performance here begins at 7 p.m. Friday at the cultural center, 8395 SW 80th St.; doors open an hour earlier.</p><p>General admission tickets are $30, and as of earlier this week plenty were still available.</p><p>Last year's “Circurious” show was a popular one, said Antonio Crews, who oversees the center's facilities. </p><p>“I heard a lot of people saying they'd never seen anything like this before. I think it was the show of the year,” he said. “It was the first time we had Olympic-style performers doing acrobatic acts inside this building.”</p><p>European nations and regions that get a moment in the spotlight during this show are, Emptage said, Spain, the Ukraine, Siberia, France, Germany, Greece, Eastern Europe, Britain and Ireland.</p><p>Among the acts, he said, are Chinese pole acts (“which is one of the oldest forms of acrobatics”) and hand balancing (“one of the most technical of skills”).</p><p>Because all of the Cirque-Tacular performers are a part of its repertoire company based in New York City, new acts can be developed based on the various performers' abilities honed over the years, Emptage said. </p><p>“Some have been with the company now for seven years; one will be making a debut with the company at this show,” he said. “It's still a vaudeville concept. But we're starting to do more creative things around what we can do, push their borders.”</p><p>Of course, as with last year's show, there will be plenty of aerial acrobatic acts, too. </p><p>“It'll be a quirky whirlwind journey across Europe,” Emptage said.</p>